Barcodes
Bar-codes along with a bar-code scanner can be a very useful feature to add to your database.
You can quickly scan in serial numbers from mass deliveries of items / components. Bar codes are also very handy for managing the repair process of an item returned for repair. For example, by recording a repaired items serial number, you can retrieve useful information like how many times the item has been returned.
BARCODE’s very easy to add to your MS Access Database, you can add a barcode font, (See “Access All In One” Video 2 (5:41) Below) and wherever the bar-code number appears, it will automatically be replaced with a barcode.
The Barcode scanners themselves plug directly into your USB port, no setup, away you go! They work just like a keyboard. (Here’s a Wireless Example) You can get sophisticated with a barcodes scanner by having a set of special barcodes that operate different functions in your database, so that the user doesn’t have to resort to the keyboard…
QR Code or Barcode?
Answering a recent question posted on Access World Forums, I note that the user wanted to use QR Codes.
On reflection I thought no, the QR Code is a bit over the top. The following is an extract of my explanation.
A QR code is sophisticated version of a Bar code. QR Codes are designed to carry lots of information. A typical example, you would have a QR Code on your business card, then when somebody scans the business card QR code, (usually into a mobile phone apps these days) your app would extract information from the QR code like name, address, mobile phone, office phone, email, in other words the QR Code contains loads of information.
In the OP’s scenario it wasn’t necessary to carry that “Information Load”. A simple number – “A Bar Code” would suffice.
Not to say you can’t use QR codes, I just don’t think they are necessary.
If your data, the information you want to scan is just a simple serial number / part number, then QR codes are the wrong way to go. It’s much easier to set the dB up with normal bar-codes.
The only reason you should consider QR Codes is if you want to incorporate a lot of information in the scan, like the device name, type, location, serial number, IMEI number, things like that. If you just want a quick way of scanning something and checking it against your database, a reference number stored in the database will suffice. This could be a serial number or some other unique number. Then Against that number, in the same row in the database table, you have Fields containing the information.
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Barcode Scan - Demo
Barcode Scan - Demo
Video 1 (01:19)
In this video I’m testing barcode input for a till system (point of sale system). Notice that the if you scan the product barcode a number of times, it updates the number of products the customer has purchased.
I went further with the development and added the facility for removing a product in cases where a product was accidentally scanned in.
Video 1 (01:19)
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Barcodes - MS Access - (Northwind)
Barcodes - MS Access
Video 2 (5:41)
This is an Excellent video here from “Access All In One” – Hacking Northwind 01 – Using Barcodes In Access
Install Northwind Traders
See my video — VBA Beginner – Setup the Northwind dB – Nifty Access — which provides instructions on how to install the “Northwind Traders” sample database from Microsoft.
Free Barcode Font
You can get the barcode font for free by going to the “Access All In One” website. You will also find a link to it in the YouTube Video description.
Video 2 (5:41)
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Barcode - Serial Number Collector
Checklist - Serial Number Collector
Video 3 (1:57)
In this thread on Nifty Access (LINK) – I demonstrate how to create a Checklist with Check Boxes.
HERE, in this video, Video 3 (1:57) – I demonstrate how the former check boxes, (now converted into text boxes), can be used to receive barcode scans.
The user scans into the text boxes with the barcode scanner. The thing to note is that MS Access automatically creates the full set of Text Boxes ready for un-boxing process, say 20 or 30 or 100 components per box.
MS Access is setup so that it automatically creates 20 or 30 or 100 text boxes (However many needed) ready to receive the barcodes…
Video 3 (1:57)
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